MHG1669 - Freswick Links
Summary
No summary available.
Type and Period (1)
- SETTLEMENT (Early Bronze Age to Medieval - 2400 BC to 1559 AD)
Protected Status
Full Description
Viking Settlement (NR) (remains of) OS 1:10,000 map, (1975)
Freswick Links, an area of sandy beach and dunes whose profile is subject to continual change, presents evidence of multi-period occupation from Mesolithic to medieval in form of stone industries, kitchen midden deposits, a broch (ND36NE 5) which produced a cup-marked stone, a settlement which began in pre-Viking period and continued into full medieval, and enigmatic structures which were thought to be 'earth-houses'.
The kitchen-middens, mostly of limpet shells and fish bones, occur mainly in area of Lady's Brow (ND 375 677), but material, including pottery ranging from Neolithic to Iron Age, and even underlying Freswick Castle (ND36NE 3) is found all over links. One midden, situated 100 yds inland from bay, was explored about 1954 and proved to be site of a Bronze Age food-gatherer's encampment. As well as shell refuse it yielded bone tools, flint implements and beaker-type sherds. It overlay a mesolithic stratum containing flakes, cores and scrapers (Lacaille 1954) Microliths have also been found in neighbourhood. Other kitchen-middens at ND 376 676 (Morris, Batey and Rackham 1979) and ND 3769 6750 (info from Dr J Close-Brooks, NMAS, 20 April 1976) have produced grass-tempered sherds which at Jarlshof (HU30NE 1) proved to be 12th to 13th century Norse (Hamilton 1956) although such pottery is no longer regarded as exclusive to this period and culture (Ritchie, Lane 1981) Similar sherds have been collected from a sand-blow at ND 3776 6724 (info from Dr J Close-Brooks, NMAS, 20 April 1976). These are obviously associated with later phases of late 11th to late 13th centuries settlement excavated by Curle in 1937-8 at ND 3765 6745 (information from P K Miller, Post Office, Freswick) and by Childe in 1941, probably about ND 3768 6749, since his site lay NE of Curle's, was associated with same midden deposit and was threatened by a sand-pit.
Curle's excavation revealed remains of one, and possibly two, substantial Viking houses overlying incinerated remains of a wattle and daub structure, and followed by 2 successive Norse complexes of less substantial construction. Childe's excavation confirmed Norse succession but revealed evidence of an appreciably earlier, though still Iron Age, occupation, in form of a structure of edge-set stones.
In 1910 RCAHMS noted ruins of a rectangular building, exposed by excavation, about 200 yds SE modern chapel (ND 3762 6791). Its walls were 4ft thick, with traces of lime on inner face, and had a doorway 2ft 5ins wide in SE, behind jambs of which were barholes. Iron slag covered paved floor. Since a smithy formed part of upper levels of Curle's excavation, this structure might be interpreted as fulfilling a similar function in northward extension of settlement, although use of lime might suggest it was not an early structure. This may be 'stone and lime building' at N end of Freswick Links from which came a whorl of cetacean bone which was donated to NMAS 1929 (PSAS 1929). That occupation did extend northward is shown by extensive area at ND 378 677 in which cliff-face erosion has exposed burnt stone and midden material.
In 1965 (OS field investigator {RD}) Curle's excavation could still be identified with, 50 yds S of it, at ND 3765 6741, a long cist 2.1m long by 0.6m broad and 0.6m deep, unpaved and lacking E end-slab, but containing an adult skeleton lying face down. Otherwise all that could be identified was a short stretch of walling and a slight rickle of stones at ND 3770 6776, which might be RCAHMS site; and 7.5m of curved walling at ND 3770 6733 (OS field investigator {RD}).
Freswick has been identified with 'Thrasvik' of the Orkneyinga Saga. RAF APs (CPE/Scot//UK/264: 3007-8) suggest that structural remains of settlement survive over much of links area, especially at ND 3768 6736, in vicinity of broch at ND 3761 6761, and at ND 3757 6776. Last two areas seem to be approx those in which Edwards excavated in 1924 and 1926. His first excavation was of a hut circle in E- facing gully, about 600 yds N of Freswick Houe (ND 376 670). It was oval, 17 x13ft, composed of single boulders resting on pure sand. An entrance, 3ft 9ins wide, in SW, was flanked on its S side by a portal 4ft high. The floor was clay.
About 16ft NE of hut circle, Edwards (1927) excavated an 'earth-house', and two others, lying within 11 ft of each other, were excavated to N of Lady's Brow (Edwards 1925). These structures appear to bear more resemblance to some of elements of a broch settlement, e.g. two chambers to W of broch in Yarrows complex (ND34SW 1) than to souterrains. Among many small finds from links in NMAS, mostly donated by Simon Bremner, Mid Town, Freswick, between 1928 and 1951, are steatite whorl and steatite urn fragments 'from the base of a ruined cairn on Freswick Links', donated in 1935. Finds from Curle's excavation are also in NMAS.
RCAHMS 1911, visited 1910; A J H Edwards 1925; 1927; PSAS 1929; 1935; A D Lacaille 1937; 1954; A O Curle 1939; V G Childe 1943;
J R C Hamilton 1956; J E Burns 1966; C Morris, C Batey and D Rackham 1979; G Ritchie and A Lane 1981; Visited by OS (R D) 27 October 1965; Info contained in letter and 6" plan from J E Kirby, 3 Ferry Croft, Lairg, to J Close-Brooks, NMAS
ND 376 677. A structure of unknown extent and nature is eroding from N side of dune complex known as Lady's Brow. The dimensions are obscured by sand-fall. CAN 058.
ND 3764 6746. Part of one of Norse structures excavated by Curle is visible as stretch of walling about 2m long running roughly E-W. None of the previously recorded flint-producing sites was identified. CAN 059.
C Batey, Caithness Coastal Survey, 1982
A detailed survey of site, as well as exploratory works, midden-sampling, minor excavation, recording of eroding cliff-sections and consolidation was carried out 1980-1. Possible evidence of cultivation was found, as were traces of walls N and S of Curle's excavation, and a probable cist, empty of contents, in an eroding area above beach.
C Morris, C Batey and N Pearson 1980; C Morris, C Batey and A K G Jones, 1981
None of structures previously exposed, some by excavation, can now be seen on Freswick Links. Further excavation is preceeding at present and a report will be produced (Info from C Batey to OS).
Visited by OS (N K B) 23 August 1982; C Batey, C Morris and A K G Jones 1981; C Batey et al 1981.
Sources/Archives (33)
- --- SHG1344 Text/Publication/Article: Laing, L R. 1973. 'People and pins in Dark Age Scotland' in Trans Dumfriesshire Galloway Natur Hist Antiq Soc Vol. 50 (1973), pp 53-71. 69, No. 2; 70, Nos. 26-9, 32, 34, 39; 71, Nos. 65, 68.
- --- SHG1353 Text/Publication/Article: Stevenson, R B K. 1955. 'Pins and the chronology of brochs', Proc Prehist Soc Vol. 21 1955, p.282-94. Proc Prehist Soc. 282-94. 282-94.
- --- SHG1693 Text/Publication/Article: Lacaille, A D. 1937. 'The microlithic industries of Scotland', Trans Glasgow Archaeol Soc Vol. 9 1937, p.56-74. Trans Glasgow Archaeol Soc. 56-74. 63.
- --- SHG183 Text/Publication/Article: Childe, V G. 1943. 'Another late Viking house at Freswick, Caithness', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 77 1942-3, p.5-17. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 5-17. 5-17; plans.
- --- SHG1957 Text/Publication/Volume: Batey, C E. 1984. Freswick Links, Caithness: a re-appraisal of the late Norse site in its context.
- --- SHG1960 Text/Report: Batey, C E. 1982. Caithness coastal survey 1982: interim reports 1980-2. . Nos. 58, 59, 61-5.
- --- SHG1961 Text/Report: Batey, C E et al. 1981. Freswick, Caithness: excavations and survey at Freswick Links and Freswick Castle, 1979-80: summary report. .
- --- SHG2300 Text/Publication/Volume: Guido, M. 1978. The glass beads of the prehistoric and Roman periods in Britain and Ireland. 181.
- --- SHG23207 Text/Publication/Volume: Morris, C. D., Batey, C. E., Rackham, D. J.. 1995. Freswick Links, Caithness - Excavation and Survey of a Norse Settlement. (North Alantic Biocultural Organisation Monograph No. 1 & Highland Archaeology Monograph No. 1) 1995. Morris, C. D., Batey, C. E., Rackham, D. J. Highland Libraries.. Paper (Original).
- --- SHG2399 Text/Publication/Volume: Lacaille, A D. 1954. The Stone Age in Scotland. 266-9; illust.
- --- SHG2402 Text/Publication/Volume: Laing, L R. 1975. The archaeology of late Celtic Britain and Ireland c. 400-1200 AD. 197-8.
- --- SHG2664 Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Third report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Caithness. . 19, No. 49.
- --- SHG27228 Text/Publication/Article: Rackham D.J., Batey, C. E., Jones, A.K.G. and Morris, C.D.. 1984. Freswick Links, Caithness: Report on Environmental Survey 1979. Circaea Vol. 2. 29-55. Digital (scanned as PDF).
- --- SHG31 Text/Publication/Article: Edwards, A J H. 1940. 'A brooch fragment from Freswick Links, Caithness', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, Vol 74 (1939-40), p 138.
- --- SHG3129 Text/Publication/Article: Batey, C. 1982. The late Norse site of Freswick. SHG23444. 45-59. 45-59.
- --- SHG3142 Text/Publication/Article: Fanning, T. 1983. Some aspects of the bronze ringed pin in Scotland. SHG23447. 324-42. 342, No. 56.
- --- SHG551 Text/Publication/Article: PSAS. 1935. 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library and exhibits', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 69 1934-5, p.9-26,118-21,246-50,322-4,397-401,435-43. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 9-26,118-21,246-50,322-4,. 246-7.
- --- SHG569 Text/Publication/Article: PSAS. 1930. 'Donations to and purchases for the Museum and Library', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 64 1929-30, p.9-24, 106-11, 211-17. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 9-24, 106-11, 211-17. 14.
- --- SHG665 Text/Publication/Article: Ritchie and Lane, J N G and A M. 1981. 'Dun Cul Bhuirg, Iona, Argyll', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 110 1978-80, p.209-29. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 209-29. 217.
- --- SHG729 Text/Publication/Article: Edwards, A J H. 1925. 'Excavation of a chambered cairn at Ham, Caithness, and of a hut-circle and two earth-houses at Freswick Links, Caithness. With a note on a winged horse carved on one side of the lintels in the earth-house at Crichton Mains, Midlothian', Proc Soc Antiq Sc. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 85-95. 89-94; plans.
- --- SHG734 Text/Publication/Article: Edwards, A J H. 1927. 'Excavation of graves at Ackergill and of an earth-house at Freswick Links, Caithness, and a description of the discovery of a Viking grave at Reay, Caithness', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 61 1926-7, p.196-209. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 196-209. 200-2; plans, illust.
- --- SHG74 Text/Publication/Article: Curle, A O. 1939. 'A Viking settlement at Freswick, Caithness', Proc Soc Antiq Scot, Vol 73 (1938-39), pp 71-110.
- --- SHG793 Text/Publication/Article: Bourke and Close-Brooks, C and J. 1990. 'Five Insular enamelled ornaments', Proc Soc Antiq Scot Vol. 119 1989, p.227-37. Proc Soc Antiq Scot. 227-37. 229-30, 235; illus 2, 3.
- --- SHG815 Text/Publication/Article: Morris, Batey and Pearson, C, C and N. 1980. 'Freswick Links (Canisbay p) broch, possible, Norse settlement, midden', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1980, p.18. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 18. 18.
- --- SHG816 Text/Publication/Article: Kirby and Kirby, O and M. 1983. 'Freswick Links (Canisbay p) small finds', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1983, p.17. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 17. 17.
- --- SHG817 Text/Publication/Article: Kirby, R. 1983. 'Freswick Links (Canisbay p) stone container', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1983, p.17. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 17. 17.
- --- SHG818 Text/Publication/Article: Batey, Morris and Jones, C E, C D and A K G. 1981. 'Freswick Links (Canisbay p)', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1981, p.18. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 18. 18.
- --- SHG819 Text/Publication/Article: Morris, Batey and Rackham, C, C and D. 1979. 'Freswick Links (Carrisbay p) midden survey', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1979, p.16. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 16. 16.
- --- SHG820 Text/Publication/Article: Burns, J E. 1966. 'Freswick Links', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1966, p.20. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 20. 20.
- --- SHG821 Text/Publication/Article: Batey, C E et al. 1984. 'Freswick Links, Caithness', Caithness Fld Club Bulletin Vol. 3 1984, p.197-201. Caithness Fld Club Bulletin. 197-201. 197-201.
- --- SHG822 Text/Publication/Article: Batey, Morris and Jones, C E, C D and A K G. 1982. 'Freswick Links, Caithness: progress report on survey and excavations, 1981', Uni Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Archaeol Rep Vol. 5 1982, p.54-8. Uni Durham Newcastle upon Tyne Archaeol Rep. 54-8. 54-8.
- --- SHG823 Text/Publication/Article: Batey, Morris and Rains, C E, C D and M J. 1985. 'Freswick Links, Caithness: survey 1984', Caithness Fld Club Bulletin Vol. 4 1985, p.57-62. Caithness Fld Club Bulletin. 57-62. 57-62.
- --- SHG824 Text/Publication/Article: Batey and Morris, C and C. 1982. 'Frewick Links (Canisbay p)', Discovery and Excavation in Scotland 1982, p.14. Discovery and Excavation in Scotland. 14. 14.
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred ND 3759 6762 (160m by 160m) (2 map features) |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | ND36NE |
| Civil Parish | CANISBAY |
| Geographical Area | CAITHNESS |
Finds (15)
- BEAKER (Undated)
- SPINDLE WHORL (Undated)
- URN (Undated)
- VESSEL (Undated)
- VESSEL (Undated)
- FLAKE (Undated)
- CORE (Undated)
- SCRAPER (TOOL) (Undated)
- VESSEL (Undated)
- VESSEL (Undated)
- VESSEL (Undated)
- MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Undated)
- MOLLUSCA REMAINS (Undated)
- SLAG (Undated)
- FISH REMAINS (Undated)
Related Monuments/Buildings (2)
Related Investigations/Events (1)
External Links (2)
- http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/SM2535 (Online designation description (Historic Environment Scotland))
- https://canmore.org.uk/site/9293 (View RCAHMS Canmore entry for this site)
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